William A. Smith Named 2025 Men of IMPACT Juneteenth Honoree
Distinguished Professor William A. Smith has been recognized as one of IMPACT Magazine’s 2025 Men of Impact , a national honor celebrating those who create lasting change in their communities.
Smith is widely known for introducing the framework of Racial Battle Fatigue, a language that has helped scholars, students, and individuals better understand and articulate the emotional and physical toll of racism. He is distinguished not only by his substantial contributions to the field but also by his eminent positions within the university.
Smith holds the esteemed title of Distinguished University Professor, a prestigious designation reserved for a select group of faculty—no more than 5 percent of the University’s tenured professors—who have attained national or international recognition for scholarly excellence in their respective disciplines.
In parallel, Smith has been bestowed with the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in the School of Medicine, marking him as an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry’s Division of Adult Psychiatry. The Presidential Chair represents the apex of academic honor at the university, enduring as long as the institution itself, signifying a permanent homage to the brilliance of its holder and the legacy of the benefactor who established it. This dual acknowledgment highlights Smith’s distinguished stature within the academic community and underscores his profound impact on the university and the broader scholarly world.
Smith's work continues to resonate across disciplines and communities, offering both insight and healing. We celebrate his powerful contributions and well-deserved recognition.